Śrīpādarājaru

Biography

Śrīpādarājaru is regarded as the Ādi Kavi (first poet) of the Kannada Haridāsa saṃpradāya. Composing in the colloquial Kannada of the people, he made profound Tattvavāda accessible through song. His aṅkita (pen name) Raṅga Viṭṭhala appears at the end of his compositions, signing them as offerings to Lord Viṭṭhala. He mentored the next generation, including Vyāsarājaru and Vādirājaru.